Long story short, I needed to pull my distributor. I didn't realize that the computer sets the timing on these vehicles ('92 360), so I only marked the rotor location on the distributor housing, and not the housing orientation to the top of the motor. To make matters worse, I can't remember whether I marked the rotor tip or the spindle (which is 180 degrees backward). Would anything be damaged if I put the distributor in with the rotor 180 degrees backwards? I was thinking about putting it in one way, and if that didn't work putting it in the other way. Thanks for the help.

 

Also, would Autozone have the OBD I tool needed to calibrate the distributor (since this vehicle uses the computer to set ignition timing) or will I have to be raped by the dealer?

 

easiest way to fix this is to pop out the #1 cylinder plug, plug the spark plug hole with your finger and rotate the motor to where you can feel the piston pushing air out past your finger, then line up the TDC mark on the crank pulley. then set the distributor to the #1 position and drop it in. this should fix it for you.

is this a magnum motor? you could tell by it having a big intake manifold.

 

Not sure if its a Magnum motor, the intake plenum is roughly a foot tall and almost the length of the motor. Nothing on the van says "Magnum" in big letters or anything. What kind of horsepower does this thing have? Just curious, my Scivic weighs 1000 lbs less and has 1/3 the displacement and kicks the crap outta this thing. Still can't beat the sound of a big block though.

Also, a guy at the machine shop told me there is a handy light tool that Dodge people can use that plugs into the ECM harness and blinks when you've got the timing set correctly (used while turning the distributor housing). Anybody know anything about this?

Thanks stev05ram360, you're a lifesaver. [sm=deal.gif]

 

Some Pictures of the reason for pulling the distributor. Machine shop didn't want to touch it, says the aluminum dog ear will break right off if they try to drill it out.


[IMG]local://upfiles/42974/0F324A1CF79C42D8B3CD8D15E0D74AA1.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]local://upfiles/42974/264EE691131C40FBB0FF259AC8EA1B5C.jpg[/IMG]

 

soak it in liquid wrench or pb blaster (similar to liquid wrench from what I hear) and use an easy out on it. it should come right out. let it soak a few times. when you drill it for the easy out, just dont put too much pressure on it and let the bit do all the work. who know's, it may break it free.

here's a pic of my intake from my 2000...



[IMG]local://upfiles/1508/EEFCABB6A9B7487A8DBED6DEFE90D39A.jpg[/IMG]

 

Got the hole drilled, PBlaster applied, and happily missed the threads. I need to get the easy-out tomorrow.

That intake does look like mine, but yours is a lot cleaner. Being a newer vehicle, you've probably got coil packs on each plug, right?

 

nope, same setup except mine has no egr valve

 

So I finally get the old distributor drilled, tapped, and ready to go. Now I'm thinking about setting the motor to TDC. But *Guess What*? There's no flipping 0 degree indicator on the front of the motor, it seems the piece of sheet metal fell off I've got one on order, but I *really* need this van working soon. Can anybody break out their Digicam and take a picture of theirs? Please? With sugar on top? I can't believe a simple 30 minute tune-up has turned into this fiasco...[&o]

 

this should help...